Did you know most pets don't get the oral hygiene care they need to keep their teeth and gums healthy? The fact is, routine dental care is an essential component of oral and overall health for cats and dogs.
At our animal clinic in Smokey Point, Arlington our vet dentists offer complete dental care for your pet, from basics including dental exams, teeth cleanings and polishing to X-Rays and surgeries.
We are also passionate about providing comprehensive dental health education to pet parents about home dental care for their furry friends.
We understand that learning that your pet needs dental surgery can feel daunting. Our goal is to make this process as stress-free as possible, for both you and your pet.
We'll do everything in our power to ensure your pet's appointment is comfortable and easy. We'll explain each step of the process to you in detail prior to the procedure, including preparation and post-operative care requirements. We offer tooth extractions, jaw fracture repair surgeries and gum disease treatment for dogs and cats.
Similar to your annual visit to the dentist, your dog or cat should see us for a veterinary dental examination at least once every year. Pets who are more susceptible to dental issues than others may need to come in more frequently.
Advanced Care Animal Clinic can assess, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, it's time for a dental checkup.
Before your pet's dental exam, a thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment will be completed.
The vet will take blood and urine analyses to confirm that your pet can safely undergo anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs may also be conducted.
Once your pet is under anesthesia, we will perform a complete oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting.
The next step is to clean and polish the teeth (including under the gum line) and take X-Rays. The vet will then apply a fluoride treatment to each tooth.
Finally, a dental sealant is applied to keep plaque from sticking to the tooth enamel. If advanced periodontal disease is discovered, the veterinarian will create a treatment plan and review it with you.
Ideally, a follow-up exam can be booked two weeks after the initial assessment and treatment appointment.
At this visit, we will discuss how to implement teeth brushing at home. We can also recommend products to help improve your pet's oral health.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from our patients about pet dental care.
As a consequence of poor oral health, our pets can develop tooth decay or periodontal disease.
Just like people, when animals eat plaque attacks their teeth and can build up into tartar if not regularly brushed away.
This may lead to infections in the mouth, tooth decay, periodontal disease and even loose or missing teeth. That's why regular vet dentist visits and dental care are critical to preventing disease and pain in the gums.
Did you know behavior may be an indication of oral health problems? If your pet is experiencing dental problems, they drool excessively (and the drool may contain pus or blood), or you may notice them pawing at their mouth or teeth. They may also yawn excessively, grind their teeth, or stop grooming sufficiently.
Other signs of oral health problems include bad breath, swollen gums, and tooth discoloration. Some pets may even suffer from pain that keeps them from eating. Read more about symptoms to the left under Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams.
Besides causing problems ranging from cavities and bad breath to severe periodontal disease, oral health issues and conditions can lead to disease in the liver, kidney, heart, and other areas throughout your pet's body.
Cysts or tumors may develop. Your pet may also not feel well in general (if you've ever had a toothache, you know how it can affect your mood!). In addition, diseases related to oral health conditions can shorten the lifespan of your pet and cause significant pain.
This is why regular dental care is so essential to animals' physical health and wellbeing.
The vet will examine your pet's mouth during their regular oral exam to check for oral health conditions or any symptoms that require treatment.
Tartar and other debris will be cleared from your cat or dog's teeth. If gingivitis, cavities or other conditions need to be addressed, the vet will explain these to you and offer advice on which actions you can take.
In some cases, surgery will be required to treat serious conditions. Anesthesia will be administered before your pet's dental procedure to ensure they are comfortable and will not experience any pain. However, special care will be required post-surgery.
If you see any of these symptoms, book a dental appointment with us.
At home, you should brush your pet's teeth on a regular basis and give them dental chew toys. These will help eliminate plaque.
Do not allow them to chew on things that will damage their teeth, such as bones, toys or objects that are too hard. Always contact your vet dentist with any questions or concerns regarding your pet's oral health.
Because cats and dogs do not understand what is happening during dental procedures, they will often react to dental procedures by biting or struggling.
Much like dentists who offer anesthesia to nervous or anxious patients, our vets in Smokey Point administer anesthesia to all of our patients before performing dental procedures. This results in less stress being put on the animals. It also allows us to X-Ray their mouth as required.
Advanced Care Animal Clinic welcomes cats, dogs, and their people to our clinic! Our experienced vets are passionate about the health of Smokey Point companion animals. Get in touch today to book your pet's appointment.